The Chicago Cubs optioned Clay Rapada back to triple-A Iowa after Sunday's 11-3 loss to Greg Maddux and the Padres. As expected, Rapada did not have much time to make a mark. He faced one batter, getting Raul Ibanez to line out to rightfield on June 14. The move was assuredly made to bring back Daryle Ward from the disabled list. The Cubs are going to need a first baseman.

It wasn't the return of one of Henry Blanco, Daryle Ward, or Aramis Ramirez that did Matt Murton in. It was the need for a thirteenth pitcher, Clay Rapada. (Though Sean Marshall sure made that need disappear tonight.) Murton has a good attitude about the demotion, saying, "I don't think that 100 at-bats dictates what a player is capable of doing, especially after what they've done in their previous at-bats. At the same time, in the market we're in here, and the team we have, and the un-met expectations at this point, there are going to be moves made, and I'm the move."

The 6'5" 26-year-old lefthanded throwing Rapada, meanwhile, had a 3.77 ERA in 28.2 innings for Iowa. He was 9-for-9 in save opportunities. Last year, Rapada split time between double-A West Tenn and Iowa. At West Tenn, he had a 0.82 ERA in 43.2 innings, striking out 45 and walking just 10. He had a 3.04 ERA for Iowa last year in 23.2 innings, as he last some control, walking 15. As Lou Piniella commented, the Cubs won't need 13 pitchers for long, so Rapada doesn't have much time to make a mark.

As noted by Arizona Phil at The Cub Reporter here and here, ahead of December Rule 5 draft, the Cubs have added relief pitchers Clay Rapada and Rocky Cherry to the 40-man roster, while dropping starting pitcher Ryan O'Malley and outfielder Miguel Negron.

Previous releated posts:
The Injuries Pile On: Izturis to DL; O'Malley Exits in 5th (8/22/2006)
Ryan O'Malley Gets His Shot (8/16/2006)
Cubs Add Miguel Negron to 40-Man Roster (6/13/2006)